Who Can Ride

  • Can I ride paratransit?

    You may be eligible to ride Paratransit if your disability prevents you:

    • From getting to or from a fixed route bus stop
    • Getting on or off a fixed route bus

    • Riding or navigating the fixed route bus system

    You are not automatically eligible to ride Paratransit based on the following:

    • Your age
    • Disability, even if verified by SSA, SSI or the VA
    • Need for dialysis treatment

    • A note from your doctor

    The following are not factors in determining your eligibility to ride Paratransit:

    • Lack of familiarity with the fixed route system
    • Illiteracy
    • Inability or limited ability to read or speak English
    • Fear of crime
    • Preference for paratransit  due to scheduling, routing, or inconvenience of fixed route system

    ​​​​​Everyone who rides paratransit must first apply for eligibility; requirements are established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Eligibility is not based only on having a disability or medical diagnosis, but on whether or not these prevent you from riding fixed route buses.​ 

    Some riders are able to use our fixed route buses for many—but not all—​of their trips. If your disability prevents you from making some trips on our fixed route bus (for example, trips that require you to walk farther to a stop than you are able), you would be eligible for Paratransit on those trips.

    If you are unable to make any of your trips on our fixed route system, you would be eligible for all of your trips on Paratransit.​​​​

    ​Disabled children age seven and under are not eligible for paratransit service. Paratransit does not provide transportation to and from school. Please contact your school district for assistance.​​

  • Can others ride with me on paratransit?

    Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

    Riders unable to travel alone should travel with a PCA. Riders who need them are responsible for providing their own. Authorization for a PCA will be established during your eligibility determination. 

    Companions

    One companion can travel with you. If there will be room on the bus, additional companions may also come along. 

    Children

    Children can travel with you. You are responsible for providing and using required car seats compatible with safety belts on our buses. 

    Service Animals

    A service animal, trained to assist people with disabilities, can travel with you. 

    Pets

    Small pets may travel with you if they’re contained in a secure pet carrier. ​​​​​

  • Can I ride paratransit if I'm visiting Whatcom County?

    If you’re visiting Whatcom County, and you are eligible for ADA paratransit service where you live, you can book paratransit rides with WTA.

    As a visitor, you can book rides on any 21 days during a 365-day period. The 21 days do not have to be consecutive. The 365-day period begins the first time you ride WTA paratransit. You will need to provide proof of your paratransit eligibility from the transit agency where you live. Here are the types of proof we will accept:

    • A letter from the transit agency where you live. The letter must provide details of your level of eligibility.
    • A paratransit ID card from the transit agency where you live.

     

    If you have not applied for ADA paratransit service from the transit agency where you live, or if you live in an area without ADA paratransit service, you can still request visitor status at WTA. In this case, we will ask you to provide other forms of documentation. Once we receive these, and we determine you are eligible, you can book ADA paratransit rides for the following day.

    Please call us at (360) 733-1144 for more information, or to start the process of securing your ADA paratransit visitor status.

 Paratransit Reservations
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​ ​​​     Call us at (360) 733-1144
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Hours:

Mon​day - Friday
7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
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 Paratransit Rider's Guide
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